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Andy Marte Named IL Player-of-the-Month for June

Buffalo Bisons infielder Andy Marte has been named the Topps-International League Player-of-the-Month for June 2006 as selected by IL field managers. The third baseman led the league with 10 home runs to go along with 22RBI and a .304 batting average (28-92).

It's the second consecutive month a Bisons player has been given the award. Pitcher Jeremy Sowers was the Topps-International League Player-of-the-Month for May 2006 after posting a 4-0 record and a 0.88ERA in six starts that month.

Marte, 22, recently put on one of the most impressive power displays in Bisons history, hitting 10 home runs in just 24 games. He hit his third home run of the season in a 5-4 win over Toledo on June 6. Three days later, Marte started a streak where he would homer in eight of ten games. He went deep in each of the final three games of a four-game series in Charlotte, June 10-12. Then in the second game of a doubleheader in Durham on June 15, Marte collected his seventh home run of the season to start a streak of five consecutive games with a home run. He went deep again on June 16 before launching home runs in the first three games of a series against Indianapolis at Dunn Tire Park. He was just the fourth Bisons player to homer in five straight games, tying Hall of Famer Ollie Carnegie and infielders Carlos Garcia and Bill Selby.

Marte hit his 10th home run of the month on June 29 to give him three more homers than any other batter in the International League in June. His 22RBI during the month were also second in the IL. On the season, Marte is tied with Ryan Garko for the team lead with 13 home runs.

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Pawtucket Red Sox

(Pawtucket, RI) - The Pawtucket Red Sox are pleased to announce that The Bob Dylan Show will come to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI on Thursday, August 24. Tickets for the show will go on sale on July 15 at 10:00 am in person at the PawSox Box Office at McCoy, over the phone at (401) 724-7300, or at http://www.pawsox.com.

The Bob Dylan Show has just announced its third annual tour of America's minor league baseball parks and their appearance at McCoy Stadium on August 24 is a highlight of the tour. In the past two years, nearly a half-million fans have enjoyed a night under the stars with The Bob Dylan Show.

"The PawSox are thrilled to bring the legendary Bob Dylan under the stars at McCoy Stadium as we kick-off the 2006 Pawtucket Arts Festival on Thursday, August 24 at 6:30 pm," said PawSox president Mike Tamburro. "This unique event will allow fans to 'Walk in the Park' and actually stroll the grounds at McCoy while listening to this musical treasure."

Admission tickets are priced at $56.50 apiece and will allow fans the opportunity to enjoy the concert from their best vantage point at McCoy whether it be from the plush playing field, the grassy berm, or the seating bowl. Children (aged 12 and under) will get in free with each adult ticket holder. The event will be held rain or shine and there is no PawSox game on the night of the show.

Performing on this tour with his band, Hall of Famer Bob Dylan continues to experience one of the most creative and prolific periods of his career. Multiple Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Kennedy Center Honor (the highest honor of artistic achievement given in the United States) are just a few of the many awards bestowed upon Bob Dylan. Last year saw the critically acclaimed release of No Direction Home, the first feature-length film biography of Bob Dylan, directed by Martin Scorcese. Now this summer, Bob Dylan will release his newest studio album, entitled Modern Times. Columbia Records release date is scheduled for August 29.

Joining The Bob Dylan Show this summer will be two modern legends of the electric guitar-Texas-style. Guitar Player Magazine calls Jimmie Vaughan "a virtual deity ... a living legend." His younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan cited Jimmie as the biggest inspiration in his own career. Veteran roadhouse singer Lou Ann Barton will be joining his band for this summer's trek. Austin-based Junior Brown plays a demonic hybrid "guit-steel" instrument, a combination 6-string electric guitar and pedal steel guitar, a device he cooked up one night in a dream. Opening up the lineup of music will be Elana James, who fronted the country swing trio Hot Club of Cowtown and is now touring with her new band The Continental Two.

The Bob Dylan Show Schedule at McCoy Stadium on August 24:

5:30 pm - Gates Open at McCoy

6:30 -6:55 pm - Elana James & The Continental Two

7:10 -7:45 pm - Junior Brown

8:00 -8:40 pm - Jimmie Vaughan

9:00 -10:30 pm - Bob Dylan

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS! https://www.pawsox.com/tickets/dylan/

truebluefan

TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Indianapolis Indians in the second game of a four-game series from Victory Field (7:00 p.m.). LHP Jason Stanford starts for the Herd in search of his third win on the season. Stanford earned a no-decision in a start on July 5 despite throwing shutout baseball over five innings. Indy will send LHP Oliver Perez to the mound. Perez worked seven innings against Toledo last Friday but took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits.

Jason Stanford

-Last Outing (7/5 @SWB): (ND, 5.0IP, 5H, 2BB, K) in Bisons' 3-2 Loss

-2006 w/ Bisons: (2-4, 4.29)(12GS, 56.2IP, 51H, 29R, 27ER, 23BB, 41K).

-2005 w/ Bisons: (0-0, 1.29)(4G, 7.0IP, 7H, 2R, 1ER, BB, 7K).

-First Bison in Modern Era to play with team in 6 seasons (2001-2006).

-Just 38.2IP in last 2 years because of elbow injury. "Tommy John" Surgery 7/29/04.

-2003 Bisons' Most Valuable Pitcher (10-4, 3.43ERA).

-Signed as a free agent, November 16, 1999.

VICTORY AT THE FIELD: After last night's loss, the Bisons have just one win in their last five games at Victory Field. Prior to the 2005 season, the Herd hadn't lost a series at Victory Field since rejoining the International League in 1998 (20-8). Now since that first season in the IL, Buffalo is 21-12 at the home of the Indianapolis Indians.

THROWING STRONG: Tonight's starter, Jason Stanford, has been extremely sharp since coming off the disabled list. The southpaw did not pitch for over a month, but hasn't allowed a run in his first two starts since being activated on June 30. In those two starts, Stanford has allowed just six hits in nine innings, while striking out three.

HONORS: Infielder Andy Marte has been named the Topps-International League Player-of-the-Month for June 2006. The third baseman led the league with 10 home runs to go along with 22RBI and a .304 batting average (28-92) in 24 games. Marte homered in eight of 10 games at one point and recorded hits in 20 of his 24 appearances. Marte is the second consecutive Bison to receive the award as pitcher Jeremy Sowers was Player-of-the-Month in May.

SMOOTH CRIMINAL: Outfielder Ben Francisco stole his 18th base of the season last night. The total is five more than Joe Inglett's 2005 team high of 13. It's also tied for the fifth most in the International League this season. Francisco's 18 steals have come in only 21 attempts, giving him a success rate of 86%.

ALL-STARS HIT: The Bisons had just three hits yesterday with all three coming from their 2006 All-Stars. Jason Dubois singled in four trips while Andy Marte finished the game 2-3 with a pair of singles.

truebluefan

TONIGHT'S GAME: The second of a four game series and the second of four meetings at Alliance Bank Stadium. The sixth of eight games vs. the Chiefs. Richmond is 3-2 vs. Syracuse in '06, 0-1 at Alliance Bank Stadium. Game two of an eight game road trip. The 38th of 48 meetings vs. North Division clubs (Braves are 13-24 vs. the North) and the 14th of 24 road contests vs. North Division clubs (Richmond is 1-12). The Braves were 2-6 vs. the SkyChiefs last season, 2-2 at Alliance Bank Stadium. The Braves are 338-305 all-time vs. the SkyChiefs. The Braves are fourth in the South, 24 games behind first place Charlotte. Syracuse is sixth in the North, 11.5 games off the pace.

LAST NIGHT'S GAME: The SkyChiefs beat the Braves 8-1 Thursday at Alliance Bank Stadium. The SkyChiefs erupted for three first inning runs to end the Braves three game winning streak. Syracuse opened up a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI ground ball by John-Ford Griffin. John Hattig doubled a run in and Jason Phillips chased a run home with a single to cap the SkyChiefs first inning rally. The Braves picked up their run in the fourth on an RBI single by James Jurries. The SkyChiefs blew the game open in the home half on a three run home run by Wayne Lydon that gave Syracuse a 6-1 lead. Lydon doubled a run home in the seventh. Juston Singleton smacked an RBI triple in the eighth to cap the scoring. Dustin McGowan earned the win. Daniel Curtis took the loss. Lydon had four hits and four RBI. The Chiefs banged out 14 hits

THREE'S A CROWD: The Braves won three straight games for the third time this season prior to losing Thursday at Syracuse. It was their second three game winning streak in less than two weeks. Richmond is 6-3 in their last nine games. The three game winning streak equals a season high. The last time the Braves won more than three straight games was a five game run from 8/20-8/24 last season.

STREAKS: Jamal Strong has hits in seven straight games (9-25 .360). Brayan Pena has hits in five straight games (8-21 .381). Cesar Crespo's five game hitting streak ended last night.

CAN WE TAKE A MULLIGAN: The Braves have been out-scored 70-32 in the first inning this season. The 70 runs is the most the Braves have allowed in an inning this season. Their -38 run differential in the first is matched only by the minus-38 run differential in the eighth inning this season (60-22).

WHERE'S THE GRASS?: The Braves played the first of their eight games on artificial turf this season. Richmond will also play four games on the turf at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre later in July. The Braves were 3-5 on turf last season.

LOOKING FOR A WINNING MONTH: The Braves are off to a 6-4 start in July. They opened June 4-1, but finished the month 7-20. The last winning full month for the Braves was August, 2004 when they were 16-9.

LEADING LIGHTS: Richmond's four wins when trailing after eight innings leads the International League. The Braves have been caught stealing just 23 times, fewest in the IL. Richmond is second in extra inning games played with 14 (already more than in all of 2005 when the Braves played 11 extra-inning games), one behind Rochester with 15. The Braves are 4-10 in extra innings. The Braves are third in the league in fielding percentage. They have played errorless baseball in 10 of their last 12 games.

truebluefan

Ottawa - The Baltimore Orioles today announced that they have optioned RHP DANIEL CABRERA and RHP SENDY RLEAL to the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx. To take their spots on the roster, the Orioles have recalled LHP ADAM LOEWEN and RHP EDDY RODRIGUEZ from Ottawa.

Cabrera is 4-7 with a 5.25 ERA in 16 starts for the Orioles this season. He took the loss last night against Texas and is 0-5 with a 7.02 ERA over his last 6 starts. Cabrera leads the American League with 75 walks and 13 wild pitches and has averaged 7.9 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. He joined the Orioles in May 2004 and has gone 26-28 with a 4.86 ERA in 73 games.

Rleal (pronounced REE-al) is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA this season. He ranks 2nd among American League rookies with 39 appearances. Rleal has allowed runs in 5 of his last 8 outings (10.1IP, 11ER).

Loewen, the Orioles' first round selection in the 2002 draft, will be making his second stint with the team this year. He went 0-2 with a 7.12 ERA in 7 games, including 5 starts, before being optioned to AAA Ottawa on June 25. Loewen went 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA in 3 starts for the Lynx and pitched 7.0 scoreless innings in each of his first 2 starts at the Triple-A level.

Rodriguez spent two weeks with the Orioles at the end of April and went 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 5 relief appearances. He is 2-0 with 9 saves and a 1.47 ERA in 33 relief appearances for Ottawa. He has not allowed a run in his last 6 outings.

Loewen and Rodriguez are expected to be with the Orioles for their game tomorrow, July 15 against the Texas Rangers.

truebluefan

LOUISVILLE, KY- The Louisville Bats and Norfolk Tides 7:15 p.m. game was suspended due to rain this evening after a 2:03 rain delay. The game will be made up tomorrow evening when the Bats and Tides resume play with a nine-inning game beginning at 5:15 p.m. The second game is seven innings and will begin approximately 30 minutes following game one. Gates will open at 4:15 p.m.

Probable Starters:

Norfolk Tides

1st Game - William Collazo (2-1, 6.75)

2nd Game - TBA

Louisville Bats

1st Game - Germano (6-6, 4.12)

2nd Game - TBA

truebluefan

The Ottawa Lynx scored three runs in the bottom of the 4th inning, rallying back from a 3-0 deficit on route to a 6-3 win over Rochester on Friday night at Lynx Stadium. Napoleon Calzado went 3-for-4 with four RBI for the Lynx.

The win improves the Lynx record to 46-48 on the season.

Rochester jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the 2nd and one more in the 3rd off of Lynx starter Hayden Penn to grab a 3-0 advantage. Ottawa got two runs back in the bottom of the third, as Jason Bowers singled and scored on Eddy Garabito's line drive triple down the right field line. Garabito would score on the first of three singles by Napoleon Calzado, narrowing the deficit to 3-2. The Lynx would take the lead in the 4th inning scoring three runs on three hits. Val Majewski singled and moved to second on a two-out walk to Eli Whiteside. After Bowers loaded the bases with an infield single, Garabito worked a four pitch walk to even the score at 3-3. Napoleon Calzado followed Garabito with a line drive to center, scoring Whiteside and Bowers to put the Lynx up 5-3. It was Calzado again in the 6th, driving home Garabito with a two-out single to increase the Lynx lead to three at 6-3. Julio Manon would toss two perfect innings to close out the game in a 6-3 Ottawa victory.

Next Game: The Lynx hit the road for a two-game series in Rochester, with first pitch of tomorrow's game scheduled for 7:05 pm in Rochester.

truebluefan

Syracuse, NY - The Richmond Braves beat the Syracuse SkyChiefs 3-2 Friday at Alliance Bank Stadium. The Braves scored a run in the seventh and held off a Syracuse rally in the ninth to win for the seventh time in their last 10 games.

The SkyChiefs scored a run in the first on an RBI ground out by Kevin Barker to take a 1-0 lead. The Braves tied the game in the fifth on an RBI single by Bill McCarthy. McCarthy knocked in another run with a single in the seventh to put Richmond in front 2-1. The Braves added what proved to be the winning run in the ninth on a Jonathan Schuerholz sacrifice fly. Syracuse scored a run in the bottom of the ninth on a Jason Phillips force out but left the bases loaded.

Lance Cormier earned the win. Manny Acosta collected his seventh save. Jason Scobie took the loss. McCarthy and Tony Pena each had two hits for the Braves.

The Braves and SkyChiefs battle again Saturday at 7 PM. Richmond returns home July 21.

truebluefan

INDIANAPOLIS -- First baseman Ryan Garko went 2-for-4 with one homer and three RBI as Buffalo rallied to defeat Indianapolis, 7-5, in front of 10,647 Friday evening at Victory Field.

The Bisons improve to 48-45 on the season, while the the Indians fall to 49-41 overall. Buffalo is now five games behind Rochester in the International League's North Division, while Indianapolis continues to trail Toledo by just one-half game in the IL West.

Buffalo plated three runs in the sixth to take the lead. C Tim Laker and CF Franklin Gutierrez drew back-to-back walks before both runners moved into scoring position on 2B Jason Alfaro's sacrifice bunt. DH Lou Merloni then tied the contest with a two-run single to center, while 3B Andy Marte gave the visitors the lead with an RBI single to the same spot.

The Bisons added two insurance runs in the seventh when Laker singled and Gutierrez doubled before Garko brought both runners home with a base knock to center.

Indianapolis closed the gap in its half of the seventh when CF Chris Duffy walked and came around to score on DH Adam Boeve's fourth Triple-A homer of the season -- a 390-foot shot to left center -- but Buffalo blanked the home team over the final two frames to hang on for the victory.

Bisons RHP Andrew Brown (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) improved to 5-3 with the win, while RHP Jason Davis (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 SO) recorded his fourth save of the campaign.

Indianapolis RHP Terry Adams (1.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) took the loss, falling to 4-3.

Neither starter -- Tribe LHP Oliver Perez (5.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) or Buffalo RHP Jason Stanford (4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO) -- factored in the decision.

Indianapolis built an early 3-1 cushion with two scores in the first and another in the third, but the Bisons rallied for five straight runs to take a 6-3 advantage heading into the seventh-inning stretch.

Boeve and C Carlos Maldonado recorded two hits apiece for the Indians, while Garko, Gutierrez and Marte all had two base knocks for Buffalo.

The two clubs return to Victory Field Saturday evening at 7 p.m., for game three of the four-game series. RHP Britt Reames is scheduled to take the hill for Indianapolis, while RHP Brian Slocum is expected to get the nod for Buffalo.

The game will be carried by Comcast Local as Ben Holden and Geoff Zahn have the call. The contest will also be available on ESPN-950 AM and IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley.

truebluefan

Durham NC - Elijah Dukes chipped in four of Durham's 20 hits as the Bulls notched a 10-7 victory over the Columbus Clippers on Friday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Every starter hit safely, and seven Bulls had multi-hit performances as the Bulls won their second straight game to open their eight-game homestand.

Dukes led the way with three runs scored, a home run, three runs driven in and a stolen base. Newcomers Ben Zobrist and Wes Bankston also contributed, as Zobrist went 2-5 with two runs scored, one RBI and a walk, while Bankston went 3-5 with a run scored and three driven in. Kevin Witt added two doubles, and his International League-leading 64th RBI of the season. Terrence Long went 2-5 for the Clippers, including an eighth-inning home run that gave Juan Salas his first earned runs on the season, after going 47.1 innings between Montgomery and Durham without allowing one. It also snapped Salas' 12.1 inning scoreless streak while with the Bulls.

Brian Stokes (6-4) got the win for the Bulls, going five innings while allowing three runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out two. Seth McClung picked up his second save of the season and in as many nights, getting the final two outs while striking out one. Aaron Small (1-1) took the loss for the Clippers, going three and two-thirds innings while allowing six runs on 11 hits and a walk, while striking out one.

Durham looks to continue their winning ways against Columbus tomorrow night, as RHP Doug Waechter (1-4) pitches against RHP Jeff Karstens (0-5) at 7:00 p.m. at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Tickets are available at the Durham Bulls Box office, by phone at (919) 956-BULL or online at www.durhambulls.com.